The prep bowl comes to U.S. Bank Stadium, with players and their families showing hometown pride

Ask any athlete or parent at U.S. Bank Stadium Saturday — and they’d be more than happy to tell you about the Prep Bowl.

“It’s amazing, it really is,” exclaimed Max Baumgartner, a Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton player. “I mean, it’s a blessing.”

“Over the top exciting, over the top,” adds Heidi Nelson, a Mankato West parent.

The Minnesota Viking home turf, temporarily taken over by pumped-up high school players from across the state, all vying for state championship wins.

“I’m from a small town,” Baumgartner explains. “I came here to watch Vikings games, I came here to watch when they came here in 2016. I could never imagine doing it. It’s amazing.”

Many eyes were on the Class 5A game between Elk River and Mankato West.

“These boys have such a camaraderie, they work so hard,” says Dan Nelson, from Mankato.

He and his wife Heidi shared photos and stories about their two boys on the Mankato West team.

Chris, #51 — is a senior, and his brother Kaden, #66 — is  junior.

“You have a brother you don’t in other sports,” Heidi notes. “You know these boys here have each other’s backs. On the field, off the field, everywhere.”

There’s plenty of family pride here, but also, hometown pride.

Making it — to use a baseball phrase — “to the show.”

“It’s awesome, it’s supercool the Elks made it here!” enthused Ethan Hazman. “(People) are saying let’s go Elks!”

Each side of the stadium was packed with fans from opposing teams.

Lucas Cooper, 26 — came to cheer on his 17-year-old brother Joel, who’s playing left guard for Elk River.

“I’m really excited for him,” he says. “I think he’s the only one of us siblings to ever be in the state championship, playing this field obviously.”

But this was more than Saturday night lights.

There’s gridiron glory in the place Vikings players call home, no matter who your team is.

“We’ve been to plenty of games in Mankato,” smiles Mike Moriarty, who’s here to support his team. “But this is a different level, different experience all together, and it’s a lot warmer.”

“He sends us pictures behind the scenes, and inside the building,” Cooper adds about his brother. “He seems pretty excited.”

Win or lose, there were memories for the players and their families — enough to last a lifetime.  

“You look around, when you’re playing the game, it really doesn’t seem like it,” Baumgartner notes. “But when you look around on the sideline and right now, it’s amazing.”

Elk River won the game, 29-26, breaking Mankato West’s 31-game winning streak.

Still — many say they were just glad to be here, enjoying watching so many skilled players with a passion for football.   

“The work ethic and the time they put into it, and they really love the sport,” Nelson says. “It’s fun as parents to watch them grow and excel.”